Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''We knew back in the day that Emmet [Cohen] had it.'' (DownBeat July, 2026)

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

18767 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 631 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 31) 95.

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

From This Moment On

August

Tue 04: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 05: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 05: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 05: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 06: Wild Women of Wylam @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guest Zoë Gilby.
Thu 06: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 06: Bridget Metcalfe Sextet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 07: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 08: ???

Sun 09: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Ropner Park, Stockton. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: The Gambling Janes @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 10: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.Free.

Tue 11: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free.

Saturday, May 22, 2021

KSTV: The MJQ - May 22

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)
David Mrakpor (vibes); Giacomo Smith (clarinet); Noah Stoneman (piano); Daisy George (double bass); Will Cleasby (drums); Gabriella Swallow (cello)

Bach's Cello Suite No.3 played to a real, live audience! No, you're in the right placethis was cellist Gabi (Gabriella) Swallow introducing this evening's Kansas Smitty's MJQ session, moving from the baroque into John Lewis' Delauney's Dilemma. At its conclusion, raucous applause! Live music is back! 

(Collage by Ken Drew)
Autumn in New York, as a feature for Giacomo Smith on clarinet, how good was this?! Drummer Will Cleasby handing most of the announcements, said of Vernon Duke's Autumn New York that it was a masterful piece of writing - quite so. Mal Waldron's Warm Canto departed from the MJQ repertoire to feature cellist Gabi (as Ron Carter on the Waldron recording), pianist Noah Stoneman and David Mrakpor, vibes.

Kansas Smitty's guest, Gabi Swallow, spoke of the contemporary relevance of Some Other Time in these pandemic times. Expressing regret Tony Bennett wasn't in the room to sing the song, our cellist played it as a trio piece accompanied by Stoneman and Mrakpor. To close, Milt Jackson's signature tune, Bag's Groove with excellent piano and drums solos, respectively Stoneman and Cleasby, and Daisy George laying down the swinging Percy Heath bassline.   
Russell

Delauney's DilemmaAutumn in New YorkBut Not for Me?Warm CantoSome Other TimeDjangoBag's Groove

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